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Fipronil 5% SC

Fipronil 5% SC is the original commercial formulation of fipronil, marketed in India as Bayer Regent SC, Dhanuka Fax SC, Agent SC and other generic brands. It is one of the most widely used paddy and chilli insecticides for stem borer, leaf folder, thrips and termite control.

Composition / Active ingredient

  • Active ingredient: Fipronil
  • Formulation: 5% SC (suspension concentrate)
  • Chemical class: Phenylpyrazole

Mode of action

Fipronil is a non-competitive antagonist of insect GABA-gated chloride channels (with secondary activity on glutamate-gated chloride channels), classified under IRAC Group 2B. By blocking the inhibitory chloride current, it causes unregulated neuronal firing, hyperexcitation and paralysis. The insect target receptor binds fipronil far more tightly than the mammalian receptor, giving good operator safety but high honeybee toxicity.

Target use and dose

CIBRC-registered crops include:

  • Rice: stem borer, leaf folder (typical foliar 500 ml/acre at booting)
  • Chilli: thrips and mites (the 18.87% SC form is more common in chilli; see Fipronil)
  • Cabbage and cauliflower: diamondback moth, leaf webber
  • Sugarcane: termites and shoot borer (granule formulations are used at planting)

Action is by ingestion and contact; the molecule is not systemic and gives 10-15 days of residual control.

Safety and regulatory status

Fipronil is toxic to bees and aquatic invertebrates; label restrictions during bloom and around water bodies are mandatory. For paddy stem borer and leaf folder resistance management, fipronil is rotated with diamides (Chlorantraniliprole Coragen Ferterra), Cartap Hydrochloride and Triflumezopyrim Pexalon to limit selection pressure on any single MoA.

See also: Fipronil, Cartap Hydrochloride, Chlorantraniliprole Coragen Ferterra, Broflanilide Exponus.

References

  1. Regent SC — Fipronil 5 SC. Bayer India / BigHaat.
  2. Fax SC. Dhanuka Agritech.